As a mom, whether you’re busy taking care of a newborn, spending your day keeping up with an energetic toddler, running “big kids” around to all the after school activities, or any combination of these, we know that you’re probably looking for some quick and easy dinner ideas beyond chicken nuggets and mac & cheese! Especially ones your picky littles will actually eat! And bonus points if it has nutritional value!
We know, we’ve been there! We ARE there! And we’re here to help with a few of our favorite “go-to” ideas to share with you!
Meatless Monday - Slow Cooker “Baked” Sweet Potatoes.
Serve alone or with a simple salad. Don’t like the “meatless” option? Add a bit of cooked and seasoned ground beef or chicken to the “filling” mixture before adding to your potato.
Taco Tuesday - Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls.
Nothing else needed - this one bowl dish has it all!
Photo by Melissa Walker Horn on Unsplash
Waffle Wednesday - Breakfast for dinner!
Cook up some eggs and bacon and pour some waffle mix in your waffle iron! Use a box mix, Granny’s tried and true recipe, or try this one here! Top with your favorite fruit!
Thrifty Thursday - Lemon Garlic Chicken with Red Potatoes and Green Beans .
This is an easy meal to make, although it does take about an hour in the oven. I love it because it’s quick to throw together and relatively inexpensive. I serve it with a salad and maybe even homemade bread (from the bread machine).
Family Night Friday - Pizza
I love pizza nights as this gives my kiddos (8, 6, and almost 2) an opportunity to help in the kitchen! Sometimes I make the pizza dough in my bread machine, sometimes I buy the dough at the grocery store - whatever I have time for that week. I typically make my own sauce with a recipe (below) I found in “The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook” - by Beth Hensperger, but you can always buy a jar or two if you want to keep it as simple as possible. Rao makes a really tasty one and you can find it in most grocery stores!
Then, just top with your preferred toppings! (This is where the kids come in!) My kids love “decorating” their pizza half! And I’ve found they’re more likely to eat the veggies when they’ve picked it themselves!
Essential Tomato-Herb Pizza Sauce
Photo by Vita Marija Murenaite on Unsplash
1 to 2 TBS olive oil
¼ cup large yellow onion, finely chopped
Two 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, pressed, or ½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano or marjoram leaves
Salt and fresh-ground black pepper
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft and the edges begin to brown. Add the tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a low boil and adjust heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 mins.
Remove from the heat and cool. Leave the onion chunky or use an immersion blender to puree. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days, and in the freezer for up to 1 month. (I often double or triple the recipe because it’s pretty quick and easy to make ahead of time, then freeze in smaller portions for later!)
Like these recipes? Check out our Pinterest Board for more Quick and Easy dinner ideas that are kid-friendly!